Lab 6

Date: January 7, 2020

Title: Simple Harmonic Motion

Aim:

To investigate Simple harmonic motion in the small amplitude oscillations of a spring mass system

Apparatus:

Retort stand, 2 Identical spiral springs, masses, stopwatch

Theory

Simple harmonic motion results when a body displaced from its equilibrium position is acted on by a
restoring force, F, that is always proportional and in the opposite direction to its displacement from
that equilibrium position.

A simple harmonic oscillator consists of a mass attached to one end of a spring. The other end of the
spring is attached to a rigid support. When the mass is displace, by as small distance, from the
equilibrium position, is restoring force exerted by the spring is given by

F= -kx

where x is displacement and k is a spring constant.

From Newton’s Second Law we know that,

F=ma

where mis the mass and a is the acceleration Substituting equation (2) into equation (1) we get,

SHM is defined by

From this we can see that

The time taken to complete one oscillation, the period, 1, Is given byY

By substituting equation (5) in equatiOn (oj we Bet an expression tor the period of a simple
pendulum,

Placing the equation in the form y=mx tc

if we plot alonE tne y axis and the m along the x-axis, we will get a straight ine pos>

rough the origin,

Diagram

Procedure

1. Hung a mass of 200g to a spring while it is hanged on a retort stand

2. It was given a slight vertical displacement and the time of 20 oscillations was recorded
3. The steps were repeated with 7 other value mass
4. The results were then neatly placed in table with the proper S.I. Units.
5. A Graph of T2 vs. m was plotted
6. The spring constant was founded which was the gradient of the graph
7. Two spring was then added on the retort stand in series with

Results and Calculation

Run Mass Time for 20 Period T2

oscillations
1 0.2 9.38 0.47 0.22
2 0.25 11.28 0.56 0.31
3 0.3 12.25 0.61 0.37
4 0.35 13 0.65 0.42
5 0.4 14.13 0.71 0.5
6 0.45 15 0.75 0.56
7 0.5 15.75 0.75 0.62

Discussion:

1
If we had conducted the experiment on the moon which is of the gravity the spring constant
6
would have remained the same

Precaution:

1. Ensure the retort stand is on a flat sturdy surface

Source of Error:

1. Environmental – The air particles will slightly affect the results

2. Parallax – Reaction time to stop the stopwatch

Limitations:

Unknown wear of the spring Material can affect the spring constant

Conclusion:
Lab 7

Date: January 7, 2020

Title: Waves

Aim:

To explore the following for a wave on a string

i. Frequency, Wavelength, and Wave Speed

ii. Reflection
iii. Superposition
iv. Damping

Apparatus

Computer Simulation: Phet – Wave on a string

Procedure

 As stated in the lab manuals

Results and Calculation

1. Amplitude, A = 0.5 sec

2. Wavelength, λ = 6.1
3. Period, T= time for a peak to travel a distance of 1λ=
1 1
4. Frequency, f = = = 0.5Hz
T 2
the time of travel 1
5. Wave speed, v (measured) = = = 3.7ms-1
total distance travelled by a peak 0.27
6. Wave speed, v (calculated) = fλ = 0.5×6.1 = 3.05ms-1

Discussion

The reflection of a wave does not change the speed or amplitude. A reflected wave pulse will not
have the same orientation but only inverted.

The reflection of a wave will change the amplitude, but the wave pulse will have the same
orientation and not be inverted.

Precaution

Ensure that the user of the computer has proficient knowledge of how to use it and follow
instruction